Tunstall Market Celebrates 500 Years
Tunstall Market celebrate 500 years of local trading with a special event.
On Saturday 15 November, the market marked the anniversary of the first recorded trading day on the site, which dates back to 1525.
As part of Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary year, the event will celebrate the city’s proud market heritage and the important role markets continue to play in bringing communities together.
The celebrations will be officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, joined by the Leek Town Crier and the city’s much-loved Centenary mascot, Kelvin the Kiln.
(Image by Stoke-on-Trent City Council)
Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Steve Watkins, said: “Markets have been at the heart of our communities for centuries and Tunstall 500 is a brilliant way to celebrate that history while looking to the future.
“We’re proud to mark this milestone as part of the city’s Centenary year and invite everyone to come along and enjoy a great day out.”
The event also saw the revive of the tradition of the Honorary Market Reeve – part of the role of the city’s Honorary Custodian.
In medieval times, a reeve was an important local official responsible for enforcing market standards. As part of the Tunstall 500 event, this centuries-old tradition was brought to life once again, with Honorary Custodian, Councillor Ross Irving and the Leek Town Crier recreating the historic assizes – the formal regulations that once governed the quality, weight and price of essential goods.
Councillor Ross Irving, Honorary Custodian of the Federation of Stoke-on-Trent, said: “It is, without a shadow of a doubt, a great honour to be the first councillor to be appointed to this position.
“I’m really pleased to be able to revive this age-old tradition as part of our city’s Centenary year.”
Kelvin the Kiln at the Tunstall Market celebration event
